Hail can cause significant damage to a home, and depending on the severity of the situation, it can result in the need for a roof replacement. It can also cause broken windows, skylights and shredded siding, which can allow water to enter your home, leading to more damage. Here are ten ways you can protect your home from hail:

1. Ensure your roof is sturdy

In order to protect your home from hail, you need to ensure your roof is sturdy and that all of your shingles are durable and properly in place. Most homes have asphalt shingle roofs. As a result, this material does go through testing to ensure it meets the standard requirements of insurance companies. They need to pass tear strength and nail-withdrawing tests in order to be considered suitable. This aspect alone will offer your home a great deal of protection.

Another aspect you need to consider is the slope of your roof, as this will make a difference in terms of protecting your home from hail damage. A roof with a steep slope can reduce the amount of potential damage because they limit direct hits if the hail is falling in a straight path. If the hail is falling on an angle, the wind-shaded side will experience little or no damage. Therefore, a steep roof is ideal. A flat roof will suffer more damage because hail will come into direct contact with it. 

2. Roof underlayment 

Roofing underlayment will make a difference when it comes to protecting your home from hail. A full roof underlayment installation is recommended over the entire roof deck before the final roof cover, as it can provide additional protection. It will also serve as a secondary line of defence against water and ice build-up. This will be especially beneficial if the primary cover suffers damage from wind or hail, so it is definitely something to consider. There are a number of different underlayment products that are available in today’s market, but a self-adhering waterproofing underlayment is generally best, as it will provide homeowners with comprehensive protection. This is often known as an “ice and water shield” and will protect against water in the event that your roof cover receives hail damage.

3. Protect any outdoor furntiure or belongings 

If you have outdoor furniture or any other belongings in your backyard, they also need to be protected from hail. It’s important to have a system in place so you can always be ready if it starts hailing. Manufactured tarps are the best way to protect your outdoor belongings. Materials, such as polyester or canvas, are very protective, strong, and flexible. You can also use lighter tarps to cover your garden. Even if your items aren’t fully protected from the severity of the storm, it may heed some of the damage.

4. Understand the risk and prepare

It’s important to understand how severe a hail storm is going to be before preparing for it. For example, residents of British Columbia are going to receive more hail than Ontario this year. Keep an eye on the Weather Network for updates on how severe the storm may be, then plan accordingly. 

5. Make sure your home insurance policy is up-to-date

This tip is particularly important, especially if you are a homeowner. Regardless of how much you prepare for a hail storm, there is still a chance something can go wrong. A scenario may be if you are away from home during a hail storm and didn’t prepare before you left. A member of our isure team can assist in updating your home insurance policy to make sure you have adequate protection. 

6. Secure windows

Although your first instinct may be to install storm shutters, a set of secure windows may do the trick (and save you money!) A storm shutter will only be beneficial on a skylight, where the window is in direct contact with the falling hail. Depending on where you live, horizontal winds may be an issue. 

Hail can cause you and your home a number of headaches, but at isure, we can provide you with the insurance protection you need. To secure a home insurance quote or to submit a hail-related claim, contact us today!

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